A “caring father” who died following a three-vehicle crash in Freckleton has today been named by police.

Dad-of-two Ian Entwistle died in hospital after coming off his Suzuki GSXR600 motorbike on Kirkham Road.

Kirkham Road was closed while police investigated the collision.

His family today paid tribute to the 34-year-old, who worked as an aircraft electrician for BAE Systems.

Mr Entwistle, from Newton, was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital following the crash, at around 2.15pm on Wednesday, but died of his injuries later that evening.

His family praised emergency services for their efforts to save him.

A statement issued on behalf of his family said: “Ian, a very caring father, has worked for BAE Systems for a number of years and leaves a loving seven-year-old daughter, Ella Mae, and a seven-and-a-half-month-old son, George.

This was a very tragic incident where a man has sadly lost his life and my thoughts are with his family at this awfully sad time.

Sgt Finn Quainton

“His family are deeply saddened by the event and are now trying to cope with their loss.”

An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash.

Police believe Mr Entwistle came off his bike when he braked suddenly after navigating a bend to avoid hitting a slow-moving Volkswagen Scirocco, which was about to turn right onto Hillock Lane.

He ended up on the floor while the bike collided with the Volkswagen and a Mitsubishi Shogun.

Mr Entwistle was airlifted to hospital with serious head and chest injuries but died at around 11.30pm on Wednesday.

Sgt Finn Quainton, of the West Division Road Policing Unit, said: “This was a very tragic incident where a man has sadly lost his life and my thoughts are with his family at this awfully sad time.

“We are still trying to piece together exactly what has happened and so I would urge anyone who may have seen the motorcycle while it was travelling along Kirkham Road, or indeed anyone who may have information about this incident, to get in contact with us.”